UPDATE: Graffiti Mars Historic Maunakea Ice Age Reserve Rocks

Mauna Kea Ice Age NAR. DLNR photo.

Graffiti on rocks in the Mauna Kea Ice Age Natural Area Reserve. Photo: DLNR..

UPDATE by Crystal Richard: May 8: 11 a.m.: 

Mauna Kea Ice Age NAR. Photo: Mehana Kihoi.

A criminal investigation is now underway after rocks and property on Mauna Kea were found vandalized with graffiti on Friday, April 28, 2017.

The Department of Land and Natural Resources’ Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement is requesting the public’s assistance in providing information related to a criminal investigation of prohibited activities in a Natural Area Reserve.

“Graffiti is a form of art and sometimes protest—what was done on Mauna Kea is neither art nor a form of protest—it is desecration,” said Kealoha Pisciotta President of Mauna Kea Anaina Hou, a Hawaiian cultural organization that has objected to the observatories on Mauna Kea. “We ask those who support our stand for Mauna Kea and for protecting Pōhakuloa from live fire bombing to join with us in this non-violent stand committed to honoring the sacredness of all beings and places through pono actions, thoughts and words—through kapu aloha! Mauna Kea belongs not to us but to the akua, that means the pohaku (rocks) themselves also reside in the heavenly realms and not in the realms of man.”

Due to the historical nature of this site, all geological features, including rocks, are protected under Hawai‘i Administrative Rules.

“It would be the same as someone spray painting inside a church. Whoever did this obviously has passion, so we hope they would reach out to one of the kia‘i (guards) so to learn of the importance of the mauna and then help us to raise the standard of aloha for Hawai‘i and the world!” said Pisciotta. “After all, Mauna Kea is a temple of peace and aloha!” said Pisciotta.

Graffiti was also found painted on various areas of Mauna Kea property managed by the UH Office of Maunakea Management, including the outhouses were vandalized.

The messages included the phrases “Stop Bombing,” “Stop Bombs PMC” (Pōhakuloa Military Camp/Pōhakuloa Training Area) and “Stop DU” (depleted uranium).

Anyone with information relating to this case is asked to contact the Division of Conservation and

Resources Enforcement Hawai‘i Branch Office at (808) 933-3460 or call the DOCARE statewide hotline at 643-DLNR.

PREVIOUS POST: May  8, 8:03 a.m.

The Department of Land and Natural Resources’ Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement is requesting the public’s assistance in providing information related to a criminal investigation of Prohibited Activities in a Natural Area Reserve.

At mid-morning on Friday, April 28, graffiti was found painted on rocks within the Mauna Kea Ice Age NAR.

Due to the historical nature of this site, all geological features, including rocks, are protected under the Hawaii Administrative Rules.

Additionally, graffiti was found painted on various areas of Mauna Kea property managed by the UH Office of Mauna Kea Management.

Anyone with information relating to this case is asked to contact the Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement Hawaii Branch Office at (808) 933-3460 or call the DOCARE statewide hotline at 643-DLNR.

Mauna Kea Ice Age NAR. DLNR photo.